Portable dispenser apparatus for producing a carbonated beverage

ABSTRACT

A portable self-contained dispenser device for carbonated beverages including a reservoir for storing a water and flavored syrup mixture at atmospheric pressure and a manually shiftable piston valve unit which admits a predetermined volume of the mixture into a first precharge chamber. A normally charged carbon dioxide bottle in the device under control of the valve unit admits a predetermined volume of CO2 gas therefrom into a second precharge chamber and subsequently into the first precharge chamber causing carbonation to take place and forcing the carbonated beverage through a restricted orifice of a delivery nozzle for dispensing into a glass.

Jacobs Dec. 3, ram

PORTABLE DISPENSER APPARATUS FOR PRODUClNG A CARBONATED BEVERAGE James W. Jacobs, Dayton, Ohio General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich.

Filed: Nov. 5, 1973 Appl. No.: 412,865

Inventor:

Assignee:

US. Cl ZZZ/129.4, 26l/D1G. 7, 261/59, 261/122 Int. Cl. 867d 5/56 Field of Search 222/1291, 129.2, 129.3, 222/1294; 261/D1G. 7, 122, 59; 99/275 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,780,198 12/1973 Pahl'ctal 261/0107 Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-loseph J. Rolla' Attorney, Agent, or FirmEdward P. Barthel 5 7 1 ABSTRACT A portable self-contained dispenser device for carbonated beverages including a reservoir for storing a water and flavored syrup mixture at atmospheric pressure and a manually shiftable piston valve unit which admits a predetermined volume of the mixture into a first precharge chamber. A normally charged carbon dioxide bottle in the device under control of the valve unit admits a predetermined volume of CO gas therefrom into a second precharge chamber and subsequently into the first precharge chamber causing carbonation to take place and forcing the carbonated beverage through a restricted orifice of a delivery nozzle for dispensing into a glass.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Q A m7 cal W 67 I sum 20F 2 as 6-2 be c-: 81 82 so 78 75 5 2a BUTTON VALVE VALVE MOVEMENT PORTS PORTS FUNCTION UNITS OPEN CLOSED C,O A,B,E CHARGE H20 & SYRUP CONTAINER DC B,E CHARGE CO CONTAINER B,C,D,E SEAL OFF H2O SYRUP CONTAINER A,B,C,O,E SEAL OFF CO CONTAINER B A,C,D INJECT CO2 INTO WATER-SYRUP CONTAINER B,E A,C,D DIsRENsE CARB. BEvERACE PORTABLE DISPENSER APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A CARBONATED BEVERAGE This. invention relates to a self-contained carbonated beverage dispenser and more particularly to a portable manually operated carbonated beverage dispenser requiring no electrical or plumbing connections.

It is an object of this invention to provide a self-contained apparatus for mixing and carbonating a beverage including a manually shiftable piston or spool valve movable in the bore of a spool valve body to a first position so as to seal off a first container precharged with a single serving quantity of a water-syrup solution gravity fed from a reservoir and precharge a second container with carbon dioxide gas from a standard CO bottle, after which the spool is moved in the valve body to a subsequent position interconnecting the first and second containers to allow the CO gas to enter the second container and carbonate the watersyrup solution, and force the single service carbonated solution through the restricted orifice of a dispensing nozzle into a cup or glass.

This and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description when considered in the light of the attached drawings therein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation view of the invention, the view being partly in section to illustrate details; I

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the dispensing system with a cross-sectional side elevational view of the piston valve, in its idle position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the valve in its second unit position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the valve in its seventh unit dispensing porition; and

FIG. 5 is a chart of the piston valve showing the open and closed sequence of the valve ports.

Referring now to FIG. .1, there is illustrated a carbonated beverage portable dispensing apparatus indicated generally at which is adapted to be mounted on a suitable support, as for example, a countertop in a home. The dispenser 10 includes a box-shaped cabinet 12 with sides 14, front 16, bottom 18, top 19 and back 20. Positioned within the cabinet 12 is a conventional CO bottle 22 resting on bottom wall 18 and held by a suitable clamp 24 to the side wall 14 of the cabinet 12. The top of the CO bottle 22 is provided with a hand operated shut-off valve -26 of a right-angular construction provided with a valve handle 28.

A liquid container or reservoir 30 is stored in the upper portions of the apparatus 10 on suitable support means (not shown) having an upper access opening 32 in its top wall which communicates with an aperture in the top wall 19 of the cabinet 12 and having closure means in the form of a vented filler cap 34 to maintain the reservoir at atmospheric pressure. The reservoir serves as a water and syrup solution mixing tank. The water-syrup solution may be cooled either by placing the apparatus 10 in a refrigerator cabinet or as an optional feature ice cubes may be inserted into the reservoir to pre-cool the water-syrup solution therein.

The front wall 16 of the apparatus 10 carries a valve actuator button 36 for effecting discharge of the carbonated beverage from delivery nozzle 38. The actualtor button includes a reciprocal stem 39 slidably mounted in a piston or spool valve unit 40 which is suitably affixed to the apparatus 10 beneath the reservoir 30, allowing valve actuator stem 39 to extend through the front wall 16 of the cabinet. It is thus seen in the system schematic shown in FIG. 2 that valve body or housing 42 has its open end-closed by cap 44 while the reciprocal stem 39 has its inner end fastened to a valve piston or spool 46 biased to an outer idle forward position by return spring 48 located with its one end engaging the inner end 49 of the valve housing 42 and its opposite end received in counterbore 52 in the end of the piston 46 such that the valve button 36 functions to actuate the valve upon inward axial manipulation of the actuator from exteriorly of the front panel 16. The discharge spout or delivery nozzle 38 is of the flow restricting type and is arranged to be positioned over' a recessed service area 54 in the overhanging portion of the front wall 16 of the cabinet 12 for discharge of the beverage into a glass 56.

When the button 36 ispressed inwardly to actuate the valve piston 46 a carbonated beverage will be discharged through nozzle 38 into a receptacle as for example a glass 56 which may be supported in the service area 54 defined beneath the overhanging portion of the front panel 16 of the cabinet 12. If desired the glass may be positioned beneath a delivery nozzle on a drain pan 58 which is positioned between front wall 16 and vertical wall portion 60 of the service area 54 and supported by lower wall 18.

As shown schematically in FIG. 2, the pre-charged CO bottle is connected by shut-off valve 26 through line 62 to inlet port A-ll in the valve housing 42. As seen in FIG. 2, the valve housing has an outlet port A -2 for connection by line 64 with a second pre-charged CO volume container 66. A line 68 connects the container 66 to valve inlet port B-1 and via groove 67 to outlet port B-2, and thence via line 70 to a first precharge water-syrup volume container 72. A line 73 connects the container 72 to valve port C-1 and then by valve outlet port C-2 and line 74 to the water-syrup reservoir 30. A return line 76 connects the reservoir 30 to valve inlet port D-l while valve outlet port D-2 is connected by line 78 and fill tube 88 to the center of the first pre-charge container 72. Line 80 connects the container 72 to the valve .inlet port 13-1 and by means of groove 79 to outlet port E-2 which is connected via line 82 to nozzle 38 on the overhang wall of the service area 54. O-rings 81 are provided to seal the piston 46 in the housing 42.

The following is a description of the operation of the dispensing system. With the valve unit in its rest or idle position, shown in FIG. 2, only valve ports C-1, C-2 and D-l, D2 are open via grooves 69 and 71, allowing the water-syrup solution to fill the pre-charged water-syrup 'predetermined volumevcontainer 72, which is sized to deliver, for example, an eight-ounce carbonated drink to the dispensing nozzle 38. The precharged CO volume container 66 would normally be charged through the 800-950 psi range, depending upon the pressure in the liquid CO storage bottle, as determinedby its ambient temperature. 7

Upon the valve actuator button 36 being depressed, two units or approximately one-quarter inch, valve ports A-1 and A-2 are opened to allow the pre-charged CO volume chamber 66 to reach the CO storage bottle 22 pressure via line 62, ports A-1 and A-2 and line 64 in the event that there has been any leakage after a long period of non-use. Valve ports C-1 and C-2 and D-1 and D2 are about shut off as seen in FIG. 3.

When the valve actuator button has been depressed three units or about three-eighths inch, valve ports C-1 and C-2 and D-1 and D-2 are definitely closed, sealing off the pre-charged water and syrup volume container 72 and valve ports A-ll and A-2 are almost closed.

Upon the valve actuator button being depressed four units or about one-half inch, all the valve ports are closed, holding the correct volume of CO gas and water-syrup solution in their respective pre-charged chambers 66 and 72.

Next as the valve actuator button moves six units or about three-quarters of an inch, valves B-1 and 8-2 are opened allowing the high pressure CO gas in its precharged container 66 to enter the carbonator area of the pre-charged water-syrup volume container 72. Carbonation takes place in container 72 while the CO gas pressure drops and the water-syrup solution is subjected to a C gas pressure relating to the desired volume of carbonation to be achieved such as 2 /2 to 4, In this position of the valve piston, valve ports BE and E-2 are only partially open.

Upon the valve actuator button being depressed seven units or about seven-eighths inches, valve ports E-i and E-Z are fully opened as are valve ports B-1 and B-2 as seen in FIG. 4. The CO pressure not only causes carbonation to take place in the container 72 but also forces the carbonated beverage through the restricted orifice of the delivery nozzle 38 and dispenses the beverage into the glass 56. Holding the valve button open in the seven unit position of HO. 4 will not permit dispensing more beverage than was contained in the precharge CO gas container 66 and a pre-charge watersyrup volume container 72. For the operator to draw another eight ounce carbonated beverage charge the valve piston must be allowed to return to the zero unit or the bias position illustrated in FIG. 2.

As the valve piston returns toward the zero unit position, it will pass the three unit position, which will allow the CO in the storage bottle 22 to recharge the precharge CO container 66. When the valve piston reaches the zero unit position, valve ports C-1, C-2 and D-1 and D-2 will open and allow the pre-charge watersyrup volume container 72 to be recharged by gravity from the water and syrup solution reservoir 30 positioned thereabove.

In this manner the dispenser apparatus is now ready to deliver the next approximately eight-ounce carbonated beverage charge when the valve actuator button 36 is depressed. However, it should be noted that at any time the button 36 is released, even if in mid-stroke, the spring 48 will return the piston 46 to its idle position and immediately stop delivery of any carbonated beverage. To provide for the instant carbonation of the water-syrup solution, the first pre-charge chamber 72, as shown in FIG. 2 may contain, for example, a porous ceramic cylinder 84 made of an alumino-silicate compound to hold the desired water-syrup charge within the enclosed inner chamber 86, which may enter this chamber from line 78 via a fill tube 88 and be vented to container 30 via line 73, C-l, C-2 and line 74. The ceramic cylinder 84 is positioned concentrically within container 72 so as to provide an outer chamber 90 to permit high pressure CO gas entering from line 70 to force its way through the entire surface of the porous walls of cylinder 84 and carbonate the water-syrup solution contained in inner chamber 86. The CO gas also provides the necessary pressure to force the carbonated water-syrup solution out of inner chamber 86 and into line 80 leading to valve unit 40, ports -1 and E2, line 82 and nozzle 38. If desired a turbulator 92 may be provided in the outlet of the first pro-charge 5 chamber 72 to further aid in the carbonation process. While only one form of an instant carbonatorhas been disclosed, other forms of instant carbonators" may be used to accomplish the desired volume of can bonation and that also obviate the step of first forming carbonated water.

While the embodiment of the present invention con stitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

1 claim:

1. In a carbonated beverage dispenser, the combination comprising, a bottle for holding CO gas under pressure, a regulating spool valve connected to said bottle, means for biasing the spool of said valve into an idle position, a first precharge chamber connected to said spool valve, a cooling reservoir tank containing a water-syrup liquid mixture connected to said spool valve, said tank positioned in said dispenser at an attitude adapted to allow a predetermined volume of the liquid mixture to drain therefrom into said first precharge chamber via said valve when said spool is biased in its idle position, a second precharge chamber connected to said spool valve; actuating means for moving said spool to an initial position whereby said spool valve connects said CO bottle with said second precharge chamber allowing a measured quantity of CO gas to expand from said bottle and occupy said second precharge chamber, said actuating means causing further movement of said spool whereby said spool valve connects said second precharge chamber with said first precharge chamber such that the liquid mixture in said first precharge chamber is carbonated by the flow of the predetermined volume of high pressure (:0 gas from said second precharge chamber into said first precharge chamber, said actuating means causing further movement of said spool whereby said spool valve connects said first precharge chamber with a dispenser nozzle whereby a predetermined volume of carbonated liquid mixture is dispensed by said nozzle into a glass or the like.

2. In a carbonated beverage dispenser, the combination comprising, a bottle for holding CO gas under pressure, a regulating spool valve connected to said bottle, means for biasing the spool of said valve into an idle position, a first precharge container in the form of an outer annular cylinder connected to said spool valve, an inner porous ceramic cylinder concentrically positioned within said first precharge chamber for holding a water-syrup charge therein, said inner porous ceramic cylinder spaced from said first precharge container outer cylinder to provide an annular space therebetween, a cooling reservoir tank containing a watersyrup liquid mixture connected to said spool valve, said tank positioned in said dispenser at an attitude adapted to allow a predetermined charge of the liquid mixture to drain therefrom into said first precharge container porous ceramic cylinder via said valve when said spool is biased in its idle position, a second precharge chamber connected to said spool valve; actuating means for moving said spool to an initial position whereby said spool valve connects said CO bottle with said second precharge chamber allowing a measured quantity of high pressure CO gas to expand from said bottle and occupy said second precharge chamber, said actuating means causing further movement of said spool whereby said spool valve connects said second precharge chamber with said annular space of said first precharge container such that the high pressure CO gas passes through said porous ceramic cylinder into said first precharged chamber to carbonate the liquid mixture therein, said actuating means causing further movement of said spool whereby said spool valve connects said first precharge chamber with a dispenser nozzle whereby a predetermined volume of carbonated liquid mixture is dispensed by said nozzle into a glass or the like.

3. In a carbonated beverage dispensing device, in combination; a portable cabinet, a water-syrup liquid mixture reservoir tank positioned within the upper portion of said cabinet, a removable CO bottle positioned within said cabinet and normally being charged with CO gas under pressure, a first precharge water-syrup container and a second precharge CO container positioned within said cabinet, a spool valve comprising a valve body having a bore therein positioned on the front wall of said cabinet below said tank, said bore having a plurality of paired upper and lower ports communicating with said bore at spaced locations therealong, a spool slidably received in said bore and having a plurality of longitudinally spaced lands thereon for sealing engagement with said bore defining a plurality of reduced diameter annular grooves between said lands; said spool having a coaxial stem portion extending through said cabinet front wall allowing an operator to depress said spool in said housing bore, biasing means tending to maintain said spool in an outwardly idle position thereof along said bore, one of the pair of ports connecting said tank with said first precharge chamber by means of one of the spool grooves when the spool is in its idle position, whereby-a predetermined volume of the liquid mixture exits from said tank into said first precharge chamber, upon said spool being initially depressed another pair of ports connecting said CO bottle with said second precharge chamber by means of one of the spool grooves whereby a measured quantity of high pressure CO gas expands to occupy said second precharge chamber, upon said spool being further depressed another pair of ports connecting said second precharge chamber with said first precharge chamber by means of another one of the spool grooves whereby the liquid mixture in said first precharge chamber is carbonated by the predetermined volume of high pressure CO gas from said second precharge chamber, upon said spool being further depressed another pair of ports connecting said first precharge chamber with a dispenser nozzle in said cabinet by means of another one of the spool grooves whereby a predetermined volume of carbonated liquid mixture is dispensed by said nozzle into a suitable con- 

1. In a carbonated beverage dispenser, the combination comprising, a bottle for holding CO2 gas under pressure, a regulating spool valve connected to said bottle, means for biasing the spool of said valve into an idle position, a first precharge chamber connected to said spool valve, a cooling reservoir tank containing a water-syrup liquid mixture connected to said spool valve, said tank positioned in said dispenser at an attitude adapted to allow a predetermined volume of the liquid mixture to drain therefrom into said first precharge chamber via said valve when said spool is biased in its idle position, a second precharge chamber connected to said spool valve; actuating means for moving said spool to an initial position whereby said spool valve connects said CO2 bottle with said second precharge chamber allowing a measured quantity of CO2 gas to expand from said bottle and occupy said second precharge chamber, said actuating means causing further movement of said spool whereby said spool valve connects said second precharge chamber with said first precharge chamber such that the liquid mixture in said first precharge chamber is carbonated by the flow of the predetermined volume of high pressure CO2 gas from said second precharge chamber into said first precharge chamber, said actuating means causing further movement of said spool whereby said spool valve connects said first precharge chamber with a dispenser nozzle whereby a predetermined volume of carbonated liquid mixture is dispensed by said nozzle into a glass or the like.
 2. In a carbonated beverage dispenser, the combination comprising, a bottle for holding CO2 gas under pressure, a regulating spool valve connected to said bottle, means for biasing the spool of said valve into an idle position, a first precharge container in the form of an outer annular cylinder connected to said spool valve, an inner porous ceramic cylinder concentrically positioned within said first precharge chamber for holding a water-syrup charge therein, said inner porous ceramic cylinder spaced from said first precharge container outer cylinder to provide an annular space therebetween, a cooling reservoir tank containing a water-syrup liquid mixture connected to said spool valve, said tank positioned in said dispenser at an attitude adapted to allow a predetermined charge of the liquid mixture to drain therefrom into said first precharge container porous ceramic cylinder via said valve when said spool is biased in its idle position, a second precharge chamber connected to said spool valve; actuating means for moving said spool to an initial position whereby said spool valve connects said CO2 bottle with said second precharge chamber allowing a measured quantity of high pressure CO2 gas to expand from said bottle and occupy said second precharge chamber, said actuating means causing further movement of said spool whereby said spool valve connects said second precharge chamber with said annular space of said first precharge container such that the high pressure CO2 gas passes through said porous ceramic cylinder into said first precharged chamber to carbonate the liquid mixture therein, said actuating means causing further movement of said spool whereby said spool valve connects said first precharge chamber with a dispenser nozzle whereby a predetermined volume of carbonated liquid mixture is dispensed by said nozzle into A glass or the like.
 3. In a carbonated beverage dispensing device, in combination; a portable cabinet, a water-syrup liquid mixture reservoir tank positioned within the upper portion of said cabinet, a removable CO2 bottle positioned within said cabinet and normally being charged with CO2 gas under pressure, a first precharge water-syrup container and a second precharge CO2 container positioned within said cabinet, a spool valve comprising a valve body having a bore therein positioned on the front wall of said cabinet below said tank, said bore having a plurality of paired upper and lower ports communicating with said bore at spaced locations therealong, a spool slidably received in said bore and having a plurality of longitudinally spaced lands thereon for sealing engagement with said bore defining a plurality of reduced diameter annular grooves between said lands; said spool having a coaxial stem portion extending through said cabinet front wall allowing an operator to depress said spool in said housing bore, biasing means tending to maintain said spool in an outwardly idle position thereof along said bore, one of the pair of ports connecting said tank with said first precharge chamber by means of one of the spool grooves when the spool is in its idle position, whereby a predetermined volume of the liquid mixture exits from said tank into said first precharge chamber, upon said spool being initially depressed another pair of ports connecting said CO2 bottle with said second precharge chamber by means of one of the spool grooves whereby a measured quantity of high pressure CO2 gas expands to occupy said second precharge chamber, upon said spool being further depressed another pair of ports connecting said second precharge chamber with said first precharge chamber by means of another one of the spool grooves whereby the liquid mixture in said first precharge chamber is carbonated by the predetermined volume of high pressure CO2 gas from said second precharge chamber, upon said spool being further depressed another pair of ports connecting said first precharge chamber with a dispenser nozzle in said cabinet by means of another one of the spool grooves whereby a predetermined volume of carbonated liquid mixture is dispensed by said nozzle into a suitable container. 